BY MIKE MURPHY, SPECIAL TO THE YUCAIPA CALIMESA NEWS MIRROR
2025 Citrus Belt League champion Yucaipa High drew a tough firstround opponent in the CIF Southern Section playoffs after the Thunderbirds finished CBL play with a 10-0 record, 16-11 overall.
The Thunderbirds traveled to Culver City High School to face the 2025 Ocean League champion Centaurs (9-1, 17-8 overall) in Division 3AA on Thursday, Feb. 13.
CBL runner-up Beaumont High School (16-7, 8-2 CBL) traveled to Whittier for a 7 p.m. clash with California High School (13-9 overall) in Division 3AA, also on Feb. 13.
Redlands East Valley (14-12 overall, 6-4 CBL) headed for Pasadena to play Maranatha High School (9-10 overall, 3-5 Olympic League) at 7 p.m.
Three CBL teams did not qualify for CIF. Cajon High finished fourth at 4-6 (7-17 overall). Citrus Valley was 1-8 (5- 15 overall) and Redlands was winless at 0-9 (3-14 overall). The Lady Terriers scored 137 points in nine games while their nine league foes scored 506 points. One contest against CVHS was not reported by either school.
Yucaipa finished its unbeaten CBL campaign with a 50-33 win over Cajon after leading 28-14 at the half.
The T-birds are led this season by sophomore Johanna Thames (14.7 points, 11.0 rebounds per game with 21 blocked shots). Junior Brianna Elgan proved versatile with 13.0 points, 3.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game. Sophomore Breona Harding averaged 8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds with 12 blocked shot.
Beaumont closed out the regular season Feb. 4 with a 54-10 win over winless Redlands. The Cougars’ only losses were to Yucaipa in league play. Senior Amirah Jones does everything well for the Cougars, averaging 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Senior Jasmin Craner averaged 10.7 points and 2.5 assists per game.
Junior Kiyanna Ware averaged 4.2 rebounds with a league-high 37 blocked shots.
REV closed out its regular season with a 46-34 win over rival Citrus Valley.
Erin Cooper leads the offense at 7.4 points per game followed by Nakyiah Daniel at 7.0 points per game and 4.4 steals per game. Genesis Herrera is averaging 7.7 rebounds per game while Milee Najera averages 6.7 rebounds per game. Amira Singer pulled down 6.2 rebounds per game.